In a statement Thursday afternoon, Webster said he did not mean to talk about race, but about perceived voting irregularities.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Maine Republican Chairman Charlie Webster is apologizing for comments he made about "dozens of black people'' unfamiliar with local elections showing up in rural towns to cast ballots.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, Webster said he did not mean to talk about race, but about perceived voting irregularities. He acknowledged his comments were made without proof of wrongdoing "and they had the unintended consequence of casting aspersions on an entire group of Americans.''

Webster also said he will not be sending out any mailers to try to determine whether the addresses of recent registrants are valid, as he had stated in an earlier interview.

Webster has said previously he will not seek another term as state GOP chairman.